Moving to Spain. All the things to consider.

Moving to Spain depends on where you’re coming from, what you want to do here, and how long you plan to stay.

So the first two questions are: What do you want to do in Spain? And what are your options?

If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen

If you’re a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you have a much simpler route to living in Spain.

You don’t need a Spanish visa to move here. For stays of up to three months, you generally only need a valid passport or national ID. If you’re going to live in Spain for longer than three months, you’ll need to establish your right of residence and register as a resident.

Your situation will determine what you need to demonstrate. For example, you may be:

• Working or self-employed in Spain
• Living in Spain with sufficient financial resources and health coverage
• Studying in Spain
• Joining a qualifying EU/EEA/Swiss family member

Once you are living here, you’ll also need to take care of the practical side of establishing yourself — such as your empadronamiento, healthcare, banking and other local arrangements.

One important distinction is that EU citizens generally aren’t applying for a Spanish residence visa. You’re exercising your right to live in Spain and completing the registration required for longer-term residence. For stays over three months, registration is normally completed within three months of entering Spain, and the resulting registration certificate includes your NIE.

The process is different for everyone, but the starting point is usually much simpler than for someone coming from outside the EU.

If you are from outside the EU

Spain has several different residence and work options for non-EU citizens. The right one depends largely on why you want to come to Spain and what you intend to do once you’re here.

You may want to retire, work remotely, start a business, work for a Spanish company, join family, study, or simply build a new life here.

Below are some of the main routes you may encounter.

I want to live in Spain without working

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

The Non-Lucrative Visa allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to reside in Spain without carrying out paid work or professional activities. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves and any accompanying family members, as well as meet the applicable health insurance and other requirements. It is commonly used by retirees and financially independent individuals.

The Digital Nomad Visa is the alternative if you need to work remotely.

Key requirements

1. Financial means (2026): At least 400% of Spain’s IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples) for the main applicant, plus 100% for each accompanying dependent.

Main applicant: 400% of IPREM = €2,400 per month or €28,800 for the first year. Each dependent (spouse/partner, minor children, dependent parents in some cases): +100% of IPREM = +€600 per month or +€7,200 per year.

Examples for the initial 1-year permit:

• Single: €28,800
• Couple: €36,000
• Couple + 1 child: €43,200
• Couple + 2 children: €50,400

You can prove this with stable passive income (pensions, dividends, rental income from abroad, interest, annuities) or liquid savings equivalent to the annual amount. Consulates often prefer clear, accessible funds (bank statements, usually recent months) and may look for more than the strict minimum. Remote work salary is not accepted for this visa.

The financial threshold is a minimum, not a guarantee of approval. You should also budget for accommodation, living expenses, insurance, application fees and the costs of relocating. Requirements for proving your financial means vary by consulate.

2. Health insurance: Public or private health coverage meeting the requirements of the Spanish authorities.

From an insurer authorized to operate in Spain (check DGSFP registry). Must provide full coverage equivalent to the Spanish public system, no co-payments/deductibles on core care and hospitalization, no waiting periods, valid for at least 1 year, and ideally prepaid. Travel insurance is not accepted.

3. Criminal record: Certificates covering the relevant countries of residence over the previous five years, as applicable.

Certificate(s) from your country of nationality and any country where you have lived in the last 5 years (apostilled/legalized + sworn Spanish translation if needed). For US applicants this is typically the FBI Identity History Summary with federal apostille.

4. Medical certificate: Confirming you do not have diseases that pose serious public health risks (per 2005 International Health Regulations).

5. Valid passport: At least 1 year validity remaining + blank pages.

6. No employment or professional activity: The NLV does not permit working in Spain, including remote work.

7. Supporting documentation: Completed application forms and any required translations, apostilles or legalizations.

Application Process

1. Check your eligibility. Confirm that you can meet the financial requirements and that you do not intend to carry out any paid work or professional activity while residing in Spain.

2. Prepare your documentation. Gather your passport, application forms, proof of financial means, health insurance, criminal record certificates and medical certificate. Arrange any required translations and apostilles or legalizations.

3. Apply through the relevant Spanish consulate. Submit the application in the country where you legally reside, following the consulate’s appointment and document submission procedures. Pay the applicable fees. You cannot apply from inside Spain on a tourist stay.

4. Wait for the decision. The authorities assess the visa and residence authorization application. They may request additional documents or an interview.

5. Collect your visa and travel to Spain. The visa is usually valid for 90 days to enter Spain. The initial residence authorization is for 1 year.

6. Apply for your TIE. Within one month of entering Spain, apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), the physical foreigner’s identity card, at the appropriate police station. You will also need to register at the local town hall (empadronamiento).

7. Maintain and renew your residence authorization. The initial residence authorization is generally valid for one year from entry into Spain. Apply for renewal within the prescribed period and demonstrate that you continue to meet the requirements.

• Initial permit: 1 year.
• Renewals: Usually 2 years each. You must continue meeting the financial, insurance, and other conditions. There is a requirement of real and effective residence of more than 183 days in the calendar year for renewal under the current regulation (RD 1155/2024). Note that related absence rules have faced Supreme Court scrutiny in 2026, so practices can evolve—confirm the latest with a lawyer or the immigration office.
• After 5 years of continuous legal residence you can apply for long-term/permanent residence (which allows work).
• Citizenship is generally possible after 10 years (shorter for some nationalities, e.g., Ibero-American).

Tax residency

Obtaining an NLV and becoming a Spanish tax resident are separate matters, but they often go hand in hand when you relocate permanently.

Under Spanish law (Article 9 of the Personal Income Tax Law), you are a Spanish tax resident for a full calendar year if any one of these tests is met:

1. Physical presence: You spend more than 183 days in Spain during the calendar year (1 January–31 December).
   • Temporary/sporadic absences normally count as days spent in Spain unless you can prove tax residence in another country with an official certificate.
   • There is no split-year treatment — if you meet the test, you are resident for the entire year (even if you arrived mid-year).
2. Center of economic interests: The main base of your activities or economic interests is in Spain (directly or indirectly).
3. Family presumption: Your non-separated spouse and dependent minor children habitually live in Spain (presumed unless you prove otherwise).

Meeting just one of these makes you a tax resident. Your NIE, TIE, or empadronamiento does not by itself create tax residency, but they are evidence the tax authorities can use.

Note on NLV renewals: The immigration rules currently require more than 183 days of real residence in the calendar year to renew the permit. This aligns closely with the tax residency day-count test, so successful renewals usually mean you are also a tax resident.

If you become a Spanish tax resident, you will generally be subject to Spanish personal income tax on your worldwide income, subject to applicable exemptions, deductions and double-taxation treaties. This may include foreign pensions, investment income and rental income from property abroad.

You must file a Spanish income tax return (Declaración de la Renta / Modelo 100) each year.

You may also face wealth tax (depending on the region and your net assets — many regions have high exemptions or have effectively eliminated it) and the Form 720 foreign-assets declaration (if foreign accounts, securities, or property exceed certain thresholds).

I work remotely

International Teleworker / Digital Nomad

If you work remotely for a company or clients outside Spain, Spain has a residence route specifically for international teleworkers.

The work must be capable of being performed remotely using computer, telecommunications and similar systems. The rules also allow certain self-employed professionals to use this route where the relevant conditions are met.

Something important to know: this isn’t simply a residence permit for anyone who works online. The nature of your work, your professional relationship with the companies or clients you work for, and other requirements all matter.

We can help you understand the route, identify what needs to be prepared and coordinate the specialist professionals handling the application.

A Spanish company wants to employ me

Employee Residence & Work

If you have a job offer from a Spanish employer, there is a residence and work route based on employment in Spain.

The process involves more than simply receiving a job offer. Depending on the circumstances, the employer and the position may have to satisfy specific immigration requirements before the authorization can be granted.

Something important to know: a job offer and permission to work in Spain are two different things.

We can help you understand the process and coordinate the immigration professionals and employer-side requirements involved.

I want to work for myself in Spain

Self-Employment

If you want to establish yourself in Spain as a self-employed professional or business owner, there is a specific residence and work authorization for cuenta propia (self-employment).

This route is different from the entrepreneur route. You are essentially demonstrating that the proposed activity is viable and that you meet the requirements to carry it out in Spain.

Something important to know: saying “I’m going to be self-employed” isn’t enough. Your business or professional activity, qualifications where relevant, financial resources, investment and supporting documentation can all become part of the application.

We can help you understand what the process involves and coordinate the appropriate legal, business and tax professionals.

I have a highly skilled job

Highly Qualified Professional / EU Blue Card

Spain has residence routes for certain highly qualified professionals, including the EU Blue Card route.

These are designed for specific professional roles and are generally connected to an employment relationship with a qualifying employer. The requirements can include qualifications, professional experience and salary thresholds, depending on the route. The applicable EU Blue Card salary threshold is updated periodically.

Something important to know: “highly qualified” has a specific immigration meaning. It isn’t simply a description of having a good job or a university degree.

We can help you understand whether your circumstances appear to fit the route and coordinate the application with the relevant professionals and employer.

I want to start an innovative business

Entrepreneur Residence

Spain has a specific residence route for foreign entrepreneurs whose business project is considered to be of particular economic interest to Spain.

This is different from ordinary self-employment. The focus is on the business project itself, including its innovation, economic interest and other factors considered under the applicable rules.

Something important to know: wanting to open a business in Spain does not automatically make you an “entrepreneur” for immigration purposes. A conventional small business may need to use a different route.

We can help you understand which route matches the business you are actually planning rather than assuming that “starting a company” automatically means an entrepreneur visa.

My company is transferring me to Spain

Intra-Company Transfer

If you already work for an international company and that company is transferring you to a Spanish entity or branch, Spain has a specific intra-company transfer (ICT) residence route.

This is designed for qualifying transfers within the same corporate structure and can apply to different categories of employees depending on the circumstances.

Something important to know: this is not simply a normal Spanish work permit. The relationship between the companies and the nature of the transfer are important parts of the application.

Tiberia can help you understand the practical requirements and coordinate with your employer and immigration professionals.

I’m coming to Spain to study

Student / Study Stay

If your main purpose is studying in Spain, you may qualify for a study stay authorization rather than an ordinary residence authorization.

This distinction matters because studying in Spain and moving to Spain as a resident are not exactly the same immigration situation.

Something important to know: the type and duration of your studies can affect the authorization, as can your plans after completing them. Spain also has routes that can allow certain students to transition into other forms of residence or work.

Tiberia can help you understand the practical implications of the study route and what you may need to arrange before and after arriving.

My family member already lives legally in Spain

Family Reunification

If you are a non-EU family member of someone who is already legally resident in Spain, you may be able to join them through family reunification (reagrupación familiar).

This is a specific immigration route with its own rules about which family members qualify and what the person already living in Spain must demonstrate.

Something important to know: having a relative in Spain does not automatically mean that family reunification applies. The relationship, the relative’s immigration status and the family’s circumstances all matter.

Tiberia can help you understand which family route applies and coordinate the documentation and specialist immigration work.

My family member is Spanish

Residence for Family Members of Spanish Citizens

There is a separate residence authorization for qualifying family members of Spanish citizens.

This is particularly important because it is not the same process as ordinary family reunification. The current rules cover a range of relationships, including spouses, qualifying partners, children, certain dependent parents and some other family situations.

Something important to know: the exact family relationship matters, and the rules are broader than simply “spouse or child.”

Tiberia can help you identify the relevant route, understand what needs to be documented and coordinate the immigration professionals handling the application.

My family member is an EU citizen

EU Family Member Residence

If you are not an EU citizen yourself but your spouse, partner or another qualifying family member is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen moving to Spain, you may have a right of residence as their family member.

This is a different system from the ordinary non-EU immigration routes above. Qualifying non-EU family members generally apply for a Residence Card of a Family Member of an EU Citizen (Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión).

Something important to know: your own nationality does not necessarily determine the route. Your relationship to the EU citizen and their own status in Spain can be the key factors.

Tiberia can help you understand how the two parts of the family’s move fit together and coordinate the practical process.

My situation doesn’t fit these options

Other Immigration Routes

Not every situation fits neatly into a standard “visa” category.

Spain also has routes based on exceptional circumstances, changes of status, long-term residence, specific family situations and other circumstances. The immigration authorities currently include several forms of arraigo (rooting) among these exceptional routes.

These are generally not routes you simply choose before moving to Spain in the same way as a non-lucrative or digital-nomad route. Some depend on circumstances that arise while a person is already in Spain.

If your situation is unusual, it is worth looking at the actual circumstances rather than trying to force yourself into the nearest visa category.

We can help you identify the relevant questions and coordinate with an immigration professional where specialist advice is required.

A note about the Golden Visa

You may still come across websites and articles telling you that you can obtain Spanish residence by buying property.

That information is now outdated for new applications.

Spain’s investor residence provisions were removed from the law with effect from April 3, 2025. Buying a property in Spain is therefore not, by itself, a current route to obtaining a new investor residence authorization.

This is one reason it is important to check immigration information against current Spanish rules rather than relying on older articles or forum posts.

After you’ve arrived

1. Empadronamiento: registering your address

One of the first administrative terms you will encounter in Spain is empadronamiento. It simply means registering your address with your local town hall (ayuntamiento).

Everyone who habitually lives in Spain is required to register with the municipality where they live. The register itself is called the padrón municipal, and the document confirming your registration is commonly called a certificado de empadronamiento.

What is it for?

Your empadronamiento provides official proof of your address in a particular municipality. You may need it for various administrative procedures, including certain residence applications, registering family members, accessing local services and other dealings with public authorities.

Does it give me residency?

No. This is an important distinction.

Registering on the padrón does not grant you the right to live in Spain, replace a visa or residence permit, or make you a Spanish tax resident. It records where you live, not your immigration or tax status.

Your empadronamiento and your immigration paperwork are separate matters, even though some procedures may require you to provide proof of your registered address.

How do I register?

You register at the ayuntamiento of the municipality where you actually live. The procedure is generally free, although the exact process and required documents vary between municipalities.

You will typically need:

• Identification: your valid passport, national identity card or relevant Spanish identification document.
• Proof of address: for example, a rental contract, property ownership documentation or other evidence accepted by the municipality.
• Additional documents, where required: depending on your circumstances, such as permission from the property holder or documentation relating to other household members.

Check your local town hall’s requirements before making an appointment. Some municipalities offer online registration, while others require you to attend in person.

What if I rent or live with someone else?

You do not necessarily need to own a property to register there. Renters can register at their rented address, and people living with a partner, family member or friend may also be able to register, subject to the municipality’s requirements and the evidence available.

If you are staying in temporary accommodation, living with someone who owns the property, or do not have a conventional rental contract, check with the local ayuntamiento about the documentation it accepts.

Do I need to renew it?

The rules depend on your circumstances. Some foreign residents must renew or periodically confirm their registration, while other registrations do not require routine renewal. Check with your municipality to find out which rules apply to you.

In short: if you are settling in Spain, registering your address is one of the basic administrative steps to take. It is straightforward in principle, but the practical details depend on where you live.

2. TIE: your Spanish residence card

The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) is the physical identification card issued to foreign nationals who have been authorized to stay in Spain for more than six months in circumstances covered by the TIE system.

If you have moved to Spain on a long-term visa, such as a non-lucrative residence visa or a digital nomad visa, obtaining your TIE will generally be one of your first administrative tasks after arrival.

What is the difference between a TIE and a NIE?

These three terms are easy to confuse:

• NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero): your personal identification number as a foreign national. You may need it for tax, banking, property and other administrative matters.
• TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero): the physical card documenting your authorized status in Spain.
• Residence authorization: the legal permission allowing you to live in Spain under the applicable conditions.

Your NIE does not, by itself, give you permission to reside in Spain. Equally, receiving a TIE does not grant you an independent right to stay beyond the underlying authorization.

Who needs a TIE?

Foreign nationals granted a visa or authorization to remain in Spain for more than six months will generally be required to obtain a TIE, subject to the rules applicable to their particular status.

EU citizens generally follow a different procedure: they register as EU residents and receive a registration certificate rather than a TIE. Their non-EU family members may have different documentation requirements.

When should I apply?

In general, you must apply for your TIE personally within one month of entering Spain or, where applicable, from the date your authorization is granted or takes effect. The relevant starting point depends on your circumstances, and some authorizations have additional conditions that must be met first.

Do not confuse the deadline for applying for your card with the validity period of your visa or residence authorization. Check the instructions applicable to your particular visa before traveling.

How do I obtain my TIE?

The process generally involves the following steps:

1. Book an appointment. Find an available appointment for the appropriate TIE procedure at a designated National Police office or immigration office.
2. Complete the application. The standard application form is EX-17.
3. Pay the applicable fee. This is generally paid using form 790, code 012.
4. Prepare your documents. These typically include your valid passport, the relevant visa or residence authorization documentation, a recent passport-sized photograph and proof of payment. Additional documents may be required depending on your situation.
5. Attend your appointment in person. Your fingerprints will generally be taken as part of the initial card application.
6. Collect your card. Follow the instructions provided by the police office for collection.

You can find the official procedure, application form and fee information on the Spanish National Police website.

What if I cannot get an appointment quickly?

Appointments can be difficult to find in some areas. Start looking early rather than waiting until the end of your application period. Keep copies of your residence approval, appointment confirmations and other relevant paperwork.

If you cannot obtain an appointment within the deadline, seek guidance from the relevant immigration office or a qualified immigration professional about your specific circumstances.

Does the TIE replace my passport?

No. The TIE documents your authorized status in Spain, but it does not replace your passport as proof of identity and nationality. Keep both documents valid and follow the applicable requirements for carrying and presenting them.

In short: if your Spanish visa requires you to obtain a TIE, treat it as a priority after arrival. Your visa or residence authorization establishes your right to stay; the TIE is the physical card documenting that status.

Self-employment – Autónomo registration

If you plan to work independently in Spain, you may need to register as an autónomo, the Spanish term for a self-employed person.

Registration involves two separate authorities: the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria, or Hacienda) and Social Security (Seguridad Social). Registering with one does not replace the requirement to register with the other.

Who needs to register?

Autónomo registration is generally relevant if you carry out an economic activity independently and on your own account in Spain.

Your circumstances matter, however. Someone employed by a foreign company, someone providing services to clients as a freelancer, and someone operating a Spanish business may have different obligations. Your immigration authorization and Social Security position must also be taken into account.

In particular, a digital nomad visa does not automatically mean you must register as an autónomo. Employees working remotely for foreign companies generally follow a different route from self-employed professionals.

How does registration work?

The process generally involves the following steps:

1. Obtain the necessary identification. You will typically need your NIE and, where applicable, a Social Security number (NUSS).
2. Register with the Tax Agency. File form Modelo 036 to declare your activity, its start date, the relevant economic activity classification (IAE) and your tax obligations.
3. Register with Social Security. Apply to join the special Social Security regime for self-employed workers, known as RETA (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos). This includes declaring your activity and selecting the relevant contribution arrangements.
4. Set up your tax administration. Establish how you will issue invoices, keep records, account for deductible expenses and file the required tax returns.

The registrations must be completed in accordance with the applicable deadlines, generally before you begin the activity. The exact requirements depend on your situation.

What will I have to pay?

Being self-employed involves more than income tax. Your obligations may include:

• Social Security contributions: generally paid monthly, with the amount linked to your applicable contribution base and estimated net earnings, subject to the rules in force.
• Income tax (IRPF): tax on your taxable income, with advance payments potentially due during the year.
• VAT (IVA): where applicable to your activity, including periodic returns and payment of any amount due.
• Professional administration: the cost of a gestor or tax advisor if you choose to outsource your paperwork.

The specific taxes and filing obligations depend on your activity, income, customers and applicable tax regime. Not every autónomo has identical reporting requirements.

Gestores: handling Spanish bureaucracy

Many self-employed people in Spain use a gestor or gestoría to handle routine administrative and tax obligations.

A gestoría is an administrative services firm. A gestor typically helps clients deal with paperwork and public authorities, while a tax adviser (asesor fiscal) focuses on tax compliance and planning. In practice, firms often provide both services, although their qualifications and expertise vary.

What does a gestor do?

Depending on the service you agree to, a gestor may:

• Register you with the Tax Agency and Social Security.
• Prepare and submit quarterly and annual tax returns.
• Maintain or organize your accounting records and expense documentation.
• Calculate your tax payments and Social Security contributions.
• Handle routine correspondence with the authorities.
• Assist with changes to your registration, suspension of activity or deregistration.

You remain responsible for your legal and tax obligations even when a professional handles the paperwork on your behalf.

How does it work in practice?

The arrangement is usually straightforward. You provide your identification details, invoices, receipts, bank information and other relevant documents. Your gestor uses these records to prepare the required filings and informs you of amounts payable and deadlines.

Many firms work through online portals or email, so you do not necessarily need to visit an office. You should agree in advance on what documents to provide, when to provide them, which filings are included and how the firm will notify you of tax payments.

How much does a gestor cost?

Fees vary depending on the complexity of your activity and the services included. A straightforward freelancer with few invoices will generally require less work than a business with employees, international transactions or complicated VAT obligations.

Ask whether the quoted fee includes quarterly tax returns, annual declarations, bookkeeping, registration and responses to inquiries from the authorities. Additional work may be charged separately.

Do I need a gestor?

Technically, you don’t, but it’s highly recommended. You can complete many administrative procedures and file your own tax returns, provided you understand the requirements and have the appropriate access to the online systems.

For people unfamiliar with Spanish tax administration, using a competent professional can reduce the administrative burden and help avoid missed deadlines. However, not every gestor provides specialist tax advice, particularly for cross-border income or complex international arrangements.

Practical advice: choose someone whose experience matches your situation. If you are self-employed, work for foreign clients or have income in more than one country, confirm that the firm understands the relevant international tax and VAT issues rather than assuming that routine filing services cover them.

Reduced Social Security rate for new autónomos

Spain offers a reduced initial contribution known as the tarifa plana to eligible self-employed workers starting their activity.

Under the 2026 rules, the standard reduced rate is €80 per month for the first 12 months, plus the applicable intergenerational equity contribution (MEI), bringing the total to €88.64 per month.

You may qualify if you register for the first time or have not been registered under the self-employed Social Security regime during the preceding two years. If you have previously benefited from the scheme, a longer exclusion period may apply.

The reduced rate can generally be extended for another 12 months if your net earnings are below the annual minimum wage and you meet the applicable conditions. Special rules may apply to certain groups.

Does this also apply to digital nomads?

Yes, if you are a digital nomad visa holder working as a self-employed professional and register with RETA, you can generally apply for the reduced rate if you meet the eligibility requirements.

However, a digital nomad visa holder employed by a foreign company does not automatically qualify for the tarifa plana. Employees generally fall under the general Social Security regime rather than RETA, unless their circumstances require a different arrangement.

The reduced rate is not automatic in every situation, so confirm your eligibility when registering.